NFL Execs View Jadeveon Clowney As Best Defensive Prospect In Decades

Jadeveon Clowney is the king of college football right now, and his star should only shine brighter as the season progresses, he makes plays, and the Gamecocks make noise in the rugged SEC.

Clowney of course would have been the first overall pick had he been allowed to enter the draft this year, but NFL rules stipulate that a player can’t declare until he’s been out of high school three years.

The buzz is growing around Clowney, and those in NFL circles feel Clowney is more than just a special player.

according to a survey of NFL personnel people conducted by Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, “Clowney is the best defensive prospect to come out of college football in at least the last 10 years.”

Jeremiah asked five executives, each with more than 10 years of experience, if Clowney is the best defensive draft prospect in the last 10 years, and all 10 said he was.

The break down of responses reads like this.

Executive No. 1: Second to none

“Yes. I have him over Von Miller, (Ndamukong) Suh, (Darrelle) Revis and Mario Williams. He has size, speed, rare athletic ability, flexibility and explosion. He’s a dominating player vs. the run and pass.”

Executive No. 2: Slight edge over Super Mario

“He’s neck and neck with Mario Williams. There’s no question that Clowney has created more buzz than any defensive player dating back to Charles Woodson. I guess I’ll give Clowney the slight edge over Williams.”

Executive No. 3: Only Suh comparable

“Yes. Only Suh is comparable. Clowney has everything including size and production. I knew he’d go No. 1 overall since his high school film was made public.”

Executive No. 4: Clowney’s a game-changer

“Hands down. Can you name a more dominant pass rusher in college during that time? I can’t. He changes the game.”

Executive No. 5: No one’s perfect but …

“I don’t think he’s a perfect prospect, but he has rare size and speed. He’s a little bit tight, but overall he’s probably still the best defensive player during that period of time.”

Even with Clowney’s meteoric rise to fame, he still may be only the second most valued player on the board behind Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, who is the premiere quarterback in all of college football entering 2013.

The even better question still remains in regards to if Clowney is a star in name, or if he can really rise above the pressure that’s about to be heap upon his huge shoulders.

This year the GameCocks have the best chance to play for the national championship. If they fail, South Carolina may not get another chance for at least ten years. CLowney and the rest of the team better bring their A game.